Steve Wilks | Center

Latest News

Recent News

The Arizona Republic's Kent Somers considers Cardinals coach Steve Wilks' firing after the season to be a "foregone conclusion."

Somers considers the lone question to be whether GM Steve Keim follows Wilks out the door. Somers' "hunch" is that president Michael Bidwell gives Keim one more year, but doesn't expect Wilks to get the same treatment after putting together a coaching staff that prioritized implementing "their schemes" over minimizing personnel strengths and maximizing weaknesses, using Patrick Peterson as a zone corner early in the year, and failing to put their best skill-position players and rookie quarterback in position to succeed. Dec 17 - 4:53 PM

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals will reassess their "entire football operation" after the season.

Steve Wilks' debut season in Arizona has been an unmitigated disaster as the Cardinals have struggled miserably in all facets. Josh Rosen has developed slower than expected while the Cardinals also caught flak for misusing David Johnson early in the year (OC Mike McCoy lost his job for this very reason), though he's been much better recently. Per Rapsheet, the Cardinals could be headed for sweeping changes if things don't improve quickly. In addition to Wilks, Rapoport implied GM Steve Keim may also be on the hot seat in Arizona. Dec 2 - 10:05 AM

This would suggest Wilks is open to keeping the 3-4 defense used under former former Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher. That's surprising considering Wilks came from a 4-3 scheme in Carolina and is bringing along Panthers LBs coach Al Holcomb as his defensive coordinator. Standing pat with a 3-4 base would likely come as good news to Chandler Jones, who has thrived since moving to outside linebacker (28 sacks over his last two seasons). Jan 23 - 2:31 PM

According to Kent Somers of AZ Central Sports, new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks is expected to hire Panthers LBs coach Al Holcomb as his defensive coordinator.

Wilks and Holcomb worked together in Carolina for five years and are poised to continue their partnership in Arizona. Holcomb has coached in the league as a position coach since 2009 but this would be his first stint as a coordinator. The Cardinals will likely transition to a 4-3 base, which is the same scheme Wilks and Holcomb used in Carolina. If Wilks does indeed bring Holcomb along as his defensive coordinator, it would leaves James Bettcher out of a job. Jan 22 - 2:34 PM

It's a brutal loss for a dispiriting Cardinals team, as rookie Kirk has been their most consistent playmaker. His absence for the season's final four games is going to make life even more difficult for struggling first-year signal caller Josh Rosen. Going forward, foot injuries are some of the most prone to setbacks, so hopefully Kirk's break is not a complex one. As it is, he should be ready well ahead of next summer's training camp. Kirk closes the book on his first NFL campaign with 43 catches for 590 yards and three touchdowns. He is an exciting hold in Dynasty leagues.

Humphries hasn't played since Week 10. The Cardinals exercised Humphries' 2019 club option last offseason. He's long been one of the worst tackles in the league with big injury concerns. It was another whiff by GM Steve Keim.

So ends another injury-ruined campaign in the desert for the 31-year-old guard, who will head into the offseason having appeared in just 11-of-32 games over the past two years. Iupati was not effective when on the field this season, though he had been better of late. Iupati had been due a $250,000 roster bonus and $7.75 million salary next year but agreed to make his 2019 contract voidable when agreeing to a 2018 pay cut. He seems unlikely to return to Arizona.

Cardinals placed RG Justin Pugh on injured reserve with a left knee injury, ending his season.

It ends an injury-plagued first year in Arizona for the former Giant. Pugh missed two earlier games with a hand injury. The No. 19 overall pick of the 2013 draft will head into 2019 having not appeared in 16 games since his rookie season. He has averaged nine appearances since 2016. Pugh is set to make $5 million in 2019. He had been ineffective before going down. Pugh's backup is Jeremy Vujnovich.

The Cardinals are awaiting MRI results. Wetzel has been filling in for D.J. Humphries (knee). Humphries could possibly return for Week 4. If not, the Birds might be forced to shift a struggling Jared Veldheer back to the blindside.

Zane Gonzalez has been promoted from the practice squad and will handle kicking duties for the final five games. 43-year-old Dawson had been battling his hip issue for several weeks, though he did kick against the Chargers in Week 12, where he converted just 1-of-2 field goal attempts. Dawson will be a free agent at season's end. Not particularly great the past two years, Dawson could be near the ned of the line.

We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. By using the site, you consent to these cookies. for more information on cookies including how to manage your consent visit our cookie policy.